A Poor’s Rate of 1s. 2d. in the £ had been made. Great dissatisfaction existed as to the new assessment of the parish.
Nov. 29th.—Mr. Joseph Sandars, M.P., had issued a reply to the requisition of the electors, justifying the course he had taken with regard to the Public Health Act.
A meeting had been held with regard to the new assessment, Mr. J. H. Harrison in the chair.
The town had been visited with a tremendous gale, during which several vessels had been blown out to sea. At the time of the storm there were 700 sail between this port and Lowestoft.
The “Enterprise,” 600 tons, had been launched from Mr. Branford’s Yard; she was christened by Miss Barber and Miss Holt.
Dec. 6th.—A public meeting had been held at the Town-hall (Mr. J. H. Harrison in the chair) for the purpose of considering the Poor’s Rate assessment recently made. About 400 persons attended, when the same was condemned, and a subscription commenced for the purpose of disputing the validity of it.
In respect of such proceedings, Mr. F. S. Costerton had been engaged as solicitor to the owners of small tenements, and Mr. C. H. Chamberlin for the general body of appellants, estimated at from 500 to 600 in number at the least.
Dec. 13th.—At the special meeting of the Town Council, “a scene of much disorder and confusion arose out of some recriminations relative the late Town-Clerk, between Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Preston.”
Dec. 20th.—On the hearing of the assessment appeals, the rate was quashed by the Justices on the ground of unequal assessment. In these proceedings Mr. Chamberlin appeared on behalf of the Committee of Ratepayers, Mr. C. Cory for several private individuals, and Mr. Cufaude for the Overseers.
Dec. 27th—The Overseers had applied for, and obtained a fresh rate of 1s. 2d. in the £.